The Christmas Marathon was my first 'small-time' marathon. Overall, a very pleasant experience. Yes the start and overall organization were disorganized, but if you can roll with the punches you won't really mind. Great support from the volunteers, beautiful scenes of snow-capped Mt. Rainer, and plenty of friendly people. There is no crowd support to speak of but is that really why you run marathons? Dress warm!!

This was my first marathon, and though it was not huge like Seattle or Portland, the down-home feel of it made it very special. There were only about a 100 participants, so I did not get trampled out on the roads and had room to run my own race. The scenery was a bit bland, but there was a glimpse or two of snow-covered mountains which certainly perk you up.

There were well-manned and well-stocked aid stations every mile and a half. The volunteers were helpful, and considering how cold it was, remained very dedicated. If you need or want the encouragement of spectators, don't do this race because there were none.

Though the course had a few slight hills, the race was fast. The day dawned sunny but very cold, so if you decide to do this one, be sure you know what you are in for. There were ample refreshments after the race, the best being sipping warm coffee in front of the space heaters.

Overall, don't go expecting glitz and glam, but we do it for the running, don't we?

Now that I have participated in this event twice, 2000 and 2005, I feel that some of the negative comments are the result of runners having a bad day and reflect a 'glass half empty' opinion of what is to me an excellent low-key marathon.

I have been fortunate in that both of the years I have run I have had beautiful, sunny weather. The course is clearly marked, though the mile markers seemed to be off somewhat. The support on the course was great and many thanks to the volunteers that endured the below-freezing temps of the day. At the finish area, yes the chili was cold, but there was an abundance of other good food and drink. Do we really run these events for hot chili? In addition to the food, we received a great shirt, finisher's medal, and trophy. Pretty nice for a small marathon.
I will most certainly return to run this one again.

One of the most inspiring things about participating in the Christmas Marathon is the support provided/offered to fellow participants doing the accompanying shorter races of 1 mile, 5 KM, 10 KM, 10 miles, and half-marathon (and that doesn't include the one-hour early starters). Between all of the associated events, you are almost guaranteed to derive motivation, regardless of your pace. The aid station workers, positioned roughly two miles apart, are to be commended as well. One volunteer went as far as apologizing for not personally handing me a sports drink, because she was distracted picking up discarded cups. That's the type of attention to marathoners that keeps them coming back.

The course starts in a beautiful park with tall trees overlooking a lake, which gave a very scenic and 'Christmasty feel' with the associated cold weather and frost in 2005's version of the race. Outside the park, marathoners encounter rolling hills, and eventually exit onto rural country roads, passing flatlands, country homes, and at one point a chicken farm. (Try to hold your breath). Besides the scenic tour of viewing the homes - which included everything from Sanford and Son's junk farm, to the two motorless 1950s pickups, to houses better suited for Beverly Hills, and the occasional clear view of snowy mount Rainer on the distant horizon, and the one-mile finish back into the park - the course is otherwise un-interesting.

The post-race food was sufficient, although they did run out of chili, which would have been nice considering the cold, windy conditions on the course. The colored medals given were unique with a drawing of Santa Claus and draped a black 'champion' ribbon unlike any other in my collection. (In my view, it is unfortunate that the medal says 'Merry X-Mas' instead of 'Merry Christmas'). Besides the medal, to my knowledge, all marathon finishers recieved a 'Division Winner' trophy, which was a very nice touch, although at my pace I surely didn't 'win' my age group!

Well, if you want to run an out-and-back marathon on barren country roads and later along a freeway - then you may want to do this one. The full marathon had about 100 runners and I didn't see a soul from mile 18-23. In fact, the aid stations were gone too as it was cold and miserably wet and the volunteers left. It is poorly marked too and I was worried about making a wrong turn a few times. The food at the finish was unheated chili and some cold hard rolls by the time I got there - and I finished in the 3:40s. Just think twice if you are looking for a PR, as it is windy and has a few hills - especially crossing the interstate. I recommend the half over the whole any day, as there were more people and you might get some warm food! I did have fun - just wouldn't do it again. Thanks!

This was a small race (around a 100 in the marathon), but a lot of fun and well worth the money. The shirts had a cute Christmas theme as did the trophies and medals. The course is mostly flat along pastures and farmlands. It's very scenic and not that hard. It's not totally flat, it has some rolling hills at the beginning and the end, but it makes it interesting. There was hot chili, cider, coffee and lots of other goodies and random prizes. It's not Boston or Seattle, but a great way to celebrate the Christmas season by running a marathon.

Here is your race! There weren't many participants and 3/4 only did the half so they are turning around while you continue on a course that crosses Interstate-5!! That's not my idea of scenic.

The two biggest letterings on the finishers shirt were Christmas and 5K! I am sorry, I didn't run 26.2 miles to get a shirt that says 5K on it! There was NOTHING medal about the paper ribbon/plastic button 'medal' and all of the trophies said Division Winner Marathon/Half marathon. There was hardly any food left and it was self-scounge. I won't be doing this race again or recommending it to anyone.

To say something positive (so you know I have it in me) the aid stations were fairly well stocked and the folks manning them were quite nice.

Scenic course, well marked, plenty of aide stations and friendly volunteers with water, gatorade and Cliff shots, Every finisher received a trophy and a medal. Postrace food included hot chili, sandwiches, hot cider, cookies, donuts, bottled talking rain water and plenty of soda. Great race. I've never been treated so special. The Christmas music was a nice touch.

One bathroom at mile 12! Abandoned aid stations. Not a scrap of food or drink at the finish! Course not closed to traffic and extremely poorly marked. A disaster.

Beautiful course with only a few hills. Race is well organized and the small number of participants gives it a family atmosphere.